Aeroplane.



M. B. DUNKLE.

AEROPLANE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1, 1910.

Patented Feb. 28, 1911-.

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M. B. DUNKLE.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1, 1910.

Patented Feb.28, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

NW 1& o 1 m A Y x MN NW GEM/aw M. B. DUNKLE;

AEROPLANE. v

APPLICATION FILED FBBJ, 1910.

Patehted Fe 11.28; 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

.MEBYL B. DUNKIJE, OF MOSCOW, IDAHO.

Annemarie.

ceases.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 28, 1911.

Application filed February 1, 1910. Serial No. 551,314.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, Mnayn B. Donate, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Moscow, in the county of Latah and State. of Idaho, have invented new and useful Improvements in Aeroplanes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flying machines of the aeroplane type, and the principal objects of the invention are to construct. a machine of this class which will be readily and safely supported while. in flight and which may be conveniently and cfiieiently steered.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved machine of the class described having propellers, one or more of which may be adjusted to operate in an -approximately vertical or in an approximately horizontal plane, at will. thus tending to propel the machine in a forward or an upward direction. according to its disposition.

A still further object of the invention is to construct av machine of the character described, in which the sup wrting planes may be sin'niltancously adjusted; in which said planes shall be resiliently supported against the E'HDSF-UXO caused by the. impact of air currents. and in which the spring resistance shall be capable of regulation.

A. still further object of the invention is to construct a machine of the character described in which power supplied by a suitable motor may be applied tothc operation of the propelling means when the machine. is in flight and in which power supplied by the motor may be'applicd to means for propelling the machine along the ground, thus enabling the machine to gather headway previous to making an ascent.

Still further objects of the invention are to simplify and impri'ive the general construction and operation of a machine of the charaenar outlined above.

With these and other ends in View which will readily appear asthe nature of the invention is better understood. the same consists in the improved construction and novel arrangement and combination of parts which will be' hereinafter fully described and particuhirly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings has been illustrated a simple-and preferred form of the invention, it being, however, understood that no limitation is necessarily made to the precise structural'details therein exhibited, but that changes, alterations and modifications within the scope of the invention may be resorted to when desired.

' In the drawings, .Figure 1 is a sectional aelevation of a flying machine constructed in accordance with the invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are diagrammatic front views of the machine, showing the supporting planes in various positions which may be assumed when the machine is in flight. Fig. 4 is a. top plan view. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view. taken on the line 5-5 in Fig. 1. Fig; 6 a perspective detail view illustrating the construction of the supporting planes. Fig. 7 is a perspective dctail view. showing the rudder detached.

(orrespomling parts in the several figures are denoted by like cha actors of reference.

The framework of the improved aeroplane is of the general shape. and outline of a triangular prism. one side of which is presented in a forward I direction, and said frame structure comprising thebottom members 1. the rear upright 2, the front uprights or corner posts 3. the side members 4-, 4 and the top front member This frame structure may be braced and reinforced in any suitable and convenient manner, and a flooring 6 is provided upon which the aviators seat 7 is suitably supported, said flooring affording also supporting and attaching n'ieans for various operating parts of the machine. A suitable motor M is provided having a driven shaft 8 which, in the example illustrated in the drawings. has been shown as carrying a propeller 9 at its forward end, said shaft being connected at its rear end by beveled gearing 10 with the transverse shaft 11.

The entire frame structure is supported upon wheels 12, one or more of which may be driven by power derived from the shaft '11; said motion being transmitted through the medium of a link belt 13 passing over sprocket wheels 14, 15 upon the shaft 11 and upon a counter shaft 16 from which motion is in turn transmitted to one or more of the wheels 12. as by means of a chain 17. The transmission means between the shafts 11 and 16 includes a clutch of ordinary construction. said clutch being operable by a lever 18 for the purpose of enabling the momately vertical or in an approximatel horimembers 39 of rectangular frames A, bestiliary propeller 19' is carried by a sleeve 20 driven shaft 8 by means of a chain 28 and anents. The bearing sleeve 30 is guided being hingedly connected with the frame tion transmitting means to be thrown into or out of gear. This transmission means is used only when the machine is upon theground for the purpose ofga ning the velocity necessary to make an ascent. An auxsupported for rotation upon a shaft 21 having a terminal eye 22 pivotally engaging the stud 23 upon which a bevel gear 24 is mounted for rotation, said bevel gear meshing with a pinion 25 upon the propeller carrying sleeve 20 and with a pinion 26 upon a counter shaft 27 deriving motion from the main sprockets 29. The propeller-carrying sleeve 21 is 'revoluble in a bearing sleeve 30 which is connected by a link 31 with a slide 32, said slide being vertically adjustable by means of a hand lever 33 equipped with a stop member 34: engaging a quadrant 35, whereby said lever and the parts connected therewith may be retainedat various adjustby a curved slot or guide 36 which 'is concentric with the ear, wheel-carrying stud 23. It will be readily seen that by manipulating the hand lever 33, the shaft 21 with the propeller-carrying sleeve may be adjusted from an approximately vertical to an approximately horizontal position, the latter being indicated in dotted lines in Fig. l of the drawings, thereby enabling the 'propeller'lt) to operate in an approxiseen in Fig; 6 of the drawings, the top and bottom members 40 and 41 of said frames structures of the upper and lower planes, respectively. These spacing and connecting members serve to maintain parallel relation between the upper and lower planes when the said planes are tilted upon the hinges 4-2 by which they are connected with the frame structure of the machine. Ob-. liquely arranged connecting springs -13 are also provided. said connecting springs serving to establish connection between the spacing and connecting members and said con- I necting springs being obliquely disposed in i opposite directions. Springs 44 are also 1 provided by means of which the pair of planes at each side of the machine are connected with the frame structure, said springs being disposed to resist the pressure in an upward direction against the undersides or surfaces of the planes.

Suitably connected with the pair of planes at either side of the machine is a loop 45, the bights of said loops being connected with the end of a flexible elemen t it) which is guided over suitably supported stationary guide members, such as pulleys 457 to form a loop 48 upon'which a pulley-carrying block 49 is movably supported, said block being connected with a tension spring 50, said spring being connected at its lower end with a flexible element 51 wound upon a drum 52 which may be rotated by means of a hand wheel 53 for the purpose of effecting vertical adjustmentof the spring. It will be readily seen that by elevating the spring the tension thereof with reference'to the supporting planes does notbecome effective until said planes have swung or moved to some extent in an upward direction, while by lowering the spring its tension will be exerted to move the supporting planes downwardly.

A suitably constructed rudder 54 is hingedly connected with the rear post or upright of the frame strrcture, said rudder being adjustable by means of a steering gear including a flexible element 55 guided over a drum 56 upon a shaft 57 having a hand wheel 58, whereby it may be rotated for the purpose of swinging the rudder to either side, as may be required.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed, the operation and advantages of this invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains. It will be seen that power for propelling the machine over ground for the purpose of gathering headway may be obtained from the motor M; although in the drawings hereto annexed, only two propellers have been shown, it is to be understood that any desired number of propellers of any preferred dimensions may be used and that one or more of such propellers may be made capable of adjustment in the manner illustrated in the drawings with reference to the propeller 19. hen on?" machine gathers headway, it will ascend in flight by the impactof the air upon the nndersides or snrfaces of the planes. Now. as the sides of the main frame converge rearwardly, the line of attachment of th planes will be diagonal to their front edges. and the rear edges of the planes will be longer than their front edges. As these planesare attached by hinges. they :lllo\\' movement up and down. and it is evident tha to swing a plane down will be to in rease its angle of incii one' side are swung up, the planes at the op posite side will swing downwardly, owing to the presence of the flCXlblG connecting member, increasing the angles of incidence ra'ngement herein shown of the downwardly moving planes, and consequently the pressure oi their surfaces counterbalancmg the extra pressure on the ether side of the machine, thus causing the central frame structure to remain practi cally vertical and stable.

An ordinary aeroplane in meeting a strong head 'wind, or when the speed is increased, tends to tip'back, owing to the iiicreased pressure on botli'sides; by the arand described, as the pressure is increased equally on the planes at both sides o'f the machine. the stationary connecting springs 44, as well as the spring 50 are placed under tension; the

planes swing upwardly; their angles of incidence will be decreased, and consequently the resistance offered by the planes is decreased, and a comparatively even line of flight is maintained.

,I'V hen speed is slackcned. the springs will contract and swing the planes downward thus increasing their angles of incidence and tending to preserve the upward pressure necessary for successful flight. It may here be stated, that in order to prevent the planes from striking the ground in alighting. wires, cords or other obstructing means may be arranged to support the planes at a certain predetermined angle to prevent them from contacting with the ground,

\Vhile the control ofthe machine in flight is practically automatic, it is obvious that it the operator wishes to increase or decrease the anglesot incidence of the planes he can do so by raising or lowering the spring 50 to which the flexible connecting element is connected by means otthe pulley-earn ing block 49. Agaim if it is wished to tip or tilt the central frame at any time. such as in turning, the connecting cord may he pulled to one side by the hand of the operator or bva special lever provided for the purpose this lowering the planes at one side of the machine and lessening the rcsr'tancc to the V upward movement of the planes at. the opposite side, thus permitting theniachine to tilt in the desired tlll'tCilUli to insure a successful turning movementv Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:-

1. A machine of the character described a frame structure of the general outline ot a triangular prism having oneside presented 'in a, forward direction, and supporting planes hingedly connected with the rearwardly converging sides.

2. In a machine of the character described,

a frame structure of the general outline of a triangular prism having rearwardly converging sides, aiid suitably connected upper and lower planes liingedly connected with said rearwardly converging sides.

3. In an areoplane, a frame structure of the general outline of a triangular prism' having rcarwardly converging sides, supporting planes connected with the two rearwardly converging sides of the frame stratoture, and suitably guided flexible connect-' ing means between the planes of the two sides.

4. In an aeroplane, a frame structure having rearwardly converging sides, support-.

ing planes hiiigedly connected with each of said converging sides, and resilient connecting means between the planes and tlie frame structure to resist movement of the planes in an upward direction.

5. In an aeroplane, a frame structure havingrearwardly converging sides, supporting planes hingedly connected with each of the converging sides of the frame structure, and connecting means between the planes and the two sides includinga suitably guided flexible element and a tension spring connected therewith,

' 6 Inan aeroplane, a frame structure havmg rearwardly converging of the t 7211116 structure, and connectingmeans between the planes of the two sides including a suitably guided flexible element, a tension spring connected therewith and means for effecting vertical adjustment of said spring I sides, support-- ing planes hingedlyconn'ectedwith the sides 7. In an aeroplane, a frame structure having rearwardly converging sides, supporting planes hingedly' connected with the two sides of the frame tructure,resilient connecting means for resisting .iipward movement of the planes, and connecting means between the planes and the twosides including a suitably giiidedfiexible element, a, tension spring connected therewith and Ii eans for-eii cctiiig verticali adjustment of said spring.

8. In an aeroplane, a frame structure having rearwardly converging sides, and supporting planes hingcdly mounted in pairs adjacent to each side, each pair including an upper and a lower frame structure, struts,

movably connected with said frame structures to connect them together. to space them a part and to maintain parallel relation therebetween, and obliquely disposed connecting springs.

9. In an aeroplane, a frame structure, supporting planes hingedly connected with the sides thereof, and connecting means for said supporting planes including a suitably guided flexible element, a block supported upon a loop formed by said flexible element,

a tension spring connected with said block,

a winding drum, and a flexible element 10 Wound upon said drum and connected with the tension spring. 1

In testimony whereof I afiix my signatu 'e in presence of two witnesses. 

